Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band headlines a special Big Guava Kick-Off Concert Thursday, May 1, at the MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre in Tampa.

TAMPA - Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band headlines a special Big Guava Kick-Off Concert Thursday, May 1, at the MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre in Tampa.

This concert launches the three-day festival that brings a great line-up of musical stars to the Florida State Fairgrounds and MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre, Friday, May 2 through Sunday, May 4. Big Organizers say Guava is destined to become the biggest and best Live Music Festival in all of Florida.

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band made their 2014 live debut on Jan. 26 in South Africa with "a sweat-drenched rock 'n roll spectacle" (Mail & Guardian). They're currently earning similar raves on the road in Australia - where parts of Springsteen's new album 'High Hopes' were recorded - including a 5-star live review from the Sydney Morning Herald, who said, "If you only see two shows this year, see this one. Twice. (And then see it again.)"

Springsteen's latest studio album, 'High Hopes' (Columbia Records), debuted at No. 1 in 20 countries last month. They are poised to return to the states and the Big Guava Kick-Off is on the touring list!

Already scheduled to perform at Big Guava are: Outkast, their reunion tour with Andre 3000 and Big Boi; Vampire Weekend, considered one of the most creative and critically acclaimed bands in the American music scene today and Foster The People, the popular indie rock trio making atmospheric, psychedelic, and dance-oriented pop.

Other performers on the bill are Slightly Stoopid, built on a bedrock of slabs of dubby bass, meditative vocal harmonies, rock-steady guitar licks and tightly syncopated percussive rhythms; Cake, defying all musical genres to create their own individual sound and Tegan And Sara, with a unique ability to bridge the pop and indie worlds.

The list continues with Violent Femmes, the textbook American cult band of the 1980s, who captured the essence of teen angst with remarkable precision and emerged as the soundtrack for the lives of troubled adolescents the world over; Girl Talk, his songs are built on recognizable samples of recent hit singles, recontextualized into an entirely new piece; Earl Sweatshirt, his languid style is a blend of highly personal alt-rap and morbid horrorcore; Grouplove, a merging of richly narrated, intricate songs with anthemic classic pop production; and HAIM, who are able to switch from instrument to instrument, all while singing in three part harmony.

Four stages, tons of bands and that is only a part of the fun and excitement Big Guava offers. There is also a Monster Midway of fast-paced free unlimited thrill rides. And then there are the epicurean delights of the finest and most-unique food trucks that Tampa Bay has to offer as well as a variety of Craft Beer Gardens that provide refreshing libations for even the most discerning aficionados.

Three-Day Big Guava General Admission Pass is on sale now for $165. Tickets include free unlimited rides and general admission to all stages including the MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre (seats available on first come, first served basis).

There is also the one and only Three-Day Super Guava Pass for $499. This is the ultimate ticket to Big Guava and includes free unlimited rides; premium reserved seat in the Amphitheatre; preferred viewing areas for all other stages; access to two Super Guava Lounges with specialty food and complementary non-alcoholic beverages and limited samplings of signature beer and wine; commemorative super Guava laminate.

Single Day Big Guava General Admission for $65 and Super Guava VIP for $175 will be available Saturday, Feb. 15, 11 a.m. The Single Day Super Guava Ticket includes all the amenities as a three-say ticket, but for one day.

To purchase tickets for the Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band and/or Big Guava shows go to www.livenation.com, all TicketMaster outlets or charge-by-phone at 1-800-745-3000.

All dates, acts and ticket prices are subject to change without notice. All tickets are subject to applicable taxes, parking and service and handling charges.